Today's PAYG used Matthew's genealogy of Jesus... described as one of the hardest passages in the Bible to read, let alone to relate to!

Growing up, I have to admit I usually skipped over this, dismissing it as boring; and anyway wasn't there that admonition against 'meaningless genealogies'?  In more recent times, I have both preached and led studies on the five women in the genealogy (for named, one identified by the name of her murdered husband).

Today I was struck by the gentle, rhythmic, almost poetic flow of the lists, fourteen generation, fourteen generations fourteen generations...  I assume if I was into gamatria or numerilogy I could have fun with that three lots of fourteen, three lots of two times seven... but I'm not.

I think for me in the busyness of this pre-Christmas period, it was good simply to pause and allow the rhythm and lilt of the words wash over me, connecting me once more into the stroy that began before time and flows, uninterrupted through it.

In the beginning, God,

You breathed, spoke and loved life into being

And as father begat father

Mother gave birth to mother

Generation flowed into generation

Nations spread and shrank,

Empires rose and fell

Worldviews emerged, shifted and evaporated...

As all that rhythm of life flowed

Inexorably onward through time

You were there

At the heart of it all...

And are here now

In our generation

In the place we call home

Among the people we meet...

And closer still

In thinking and speaking

In my working and sleeping

In my creating and continuing

God of gentle rhythm

God of all time

Hear my prayer.

Amen

It's been a very long day and I have no oomph left to post anything of any merit!

This morning our Sunday School nativity was wonderful and this evening the Carol Service was splendid.

It is also, for those following some schemes Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of joy rather than seriousness. 

I think we leant more to gaudete than anything else.  And I think that is good!

(Thus spake Angel 3 and Alto 5!)

God of joy,

Thank you for this day

For nativity plays and profound poems

For ancient texts and new songs

For the stern Baptiser who prepared the way

And for the inbreaking delight of light overcomign dark

Amen.

I've just had a lovely day meeting children and carers who had completed our Christmas Sheep Trail and who joined in our 'Get in the Picture' event.  Lots of children colouring pictures, adults munching warm mince pies (donated by Greggs), lots of dressing up and lots of good conversations.

Most people who came in were not connected with any church, yet they all loved the event and thanked us for organising it.  Many had photos taken.  More than a few were interested in other events we have coming up.

So, nothing especially profound today, just some gratitude for the work God does...

Did you slip in God,

Wrapped against the winter's cold, clutching your answer sheet, in chubby fingers?

Did you sit at a table, God,

Supping tea and enjoying a warm mince pie (donated by the baker on the corner) and a few minutes stillness?

Did you hand out prizes, God,

Bringing a smile to the face of a child with s simple box of chocolate tree decorations (albeit telling your story!)

Did you mop up spills, take photographs, make tea, dress actors?

Did you cross our threshold unnoticed?

And did we welcome you, as you, always, welcome us?

God of Christmas, thank you for a day of love lived, faith expressed, and hope renewed

Amen

Reflective post to come later today.

Decided last night to put up my Christmas tree - with all the elan* and aplomb* of a five year old never mind an almost fifty year old:

Today is the Grand Finale of our Christmas Sheep Trail and I really hope despite the pouring rain people venture out with their children to claim their prizes and particpaite in our Get in the Picture event.

I will leaving home very soon loaded with fairy lights, dressing up stuff and GSOH.

It will be super fun.  if you are nearby do drop by...

* Now that 'big' words are re-emerging in my brain it would be rude not to use them!!

Today as I have been posting daft photos and being busy preparing for Christmas events, news has unfolded of tragedy across the Atlantic.  Sometimes I think we forget that whilst the events recorded in the gospels were unfolding, the rest of the world carried on as normal, life and death, tragedy and triumph...

A couple of things have come to mind, firstly the Jeremiah quoted by Matthew after the slaughter of the innocents

This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more."

And this song, of which this is the least annoying recording I can find...

Comfort your people, Lord

Parents whose children have been slaughtered

Children orphaned by human inhumanity

Comfort your people, Lord

And forgive us our complicity in injustice

And our impotence in the face of evil

Comfort us

And give us new hope

Amen